Slovakia will no longer send weapons to Ukraine - Parliament Speaker Pellegrini

He said this during a meeting with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, HNonline reports.

According to him, ammunition for Ukraine is also produced at semi-state-owned enterprises in Slovakia, and factories in the eastern part of the country, initiated by Germany, continue repairing damaged Ukrainian military equipment.

Pellegrini noted that the Slovak government will no longer send any military aid to Kyiv from its armed forces' stockpiles. However, he emphasized that this does not mean Slovakia is turning away from Ukraine.

The Speaker of the Slovak Parliament emphasized the need to assess each country based on its actions, reminding about Slovakia's consistent humanitarian and technical assistance to Ukraine, particularly in demining efforts.

"What matters is the real actions taken by Slovakia, and there is no need to talk about how the party expresses itself," he explained. This probably refers to Prime Minister Robert Fico, who came to power after Slovakia suspended military aid to the Ukrainian military.

Responding to whether Slovakia would support the financial aid package for Ukraine at the upcoming EU summit in Brussels, Pellegrini mentioned that the coalition council had not yet discussed this matter.

However, he added that Slovakia is among the countries wanting to ensure that the €50 billion for Ukraine will not be uncontrolled, and these resources “will not end up in the hands of speculators.”

Slovakia's position on the war in Ukraine

On October 26, 2023, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told the European Commission that he would not provide military assistance to Ukraine. The country will limit itself to humanitarian support. This was part of his election campaign, which helped Fico win the parliamentary elections.

The politician also said that 50 billion euros of EU aid to Ukraine should include guarantees that the funds will not be misappropriated. Robert Fico called Ukraine one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

On November 6, the Slovak prime minister clarified that he would not prohibit private companies from providing weapons to Ukraine.

In early November, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár said that he did not believe in Ukraine's victory on the battlefield.

In early January, Slovakia decided to provide Ukraine with a winter humanitarian aid package worth more than 200,000 euros, which included heaters, clothing, and first aid kits.

Slovakia's parliament has supported an amendment that gives the country's defense ministry the authority to approve arms exports, paving the way for public and private arms companies to continue military support for Ukraine.

On Wednesday, January 24, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico arrived in Uzhhorod and has already met with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal.